I'm not sure playing SC2 will make you smarter, but I can say that most of my fellow mathematics classmates seemed "smarter" after slogging over proofs for so many years, not just in terms of a knowledge of math, but more like, an understanding of how to logically approach a problem and assess what courses of action to take.

SC2 can teach you better "on the fly" decision making, better prediction of human behavior, and it can probably improve manual dexterity though.

I wouldn't assume using your brain more makes you 'smarter'. However, if this leads you to consistently have a more efficient thinking process which allows for more effective problem solving then it might be ok to say you've become 'smarter'

I've always had an unspoken, unverified assumption that playing any game that uses a lot of mental power will make one "smarter."

How do I define smart? As basically anything that improves brain function.

I guess my question is: does the brain work like a muscle? Does constant critical thinking "work out" one's brain?

Would playing a strategy game (whether it's chess or Starcraft II) help one's mental processes?

Thanks in advance for the answers. Also I'm not sure if this thread belongs in general discussion, or one of the more technical scientific sections of the forums...

Chess memory was thus shown to be even more specific than it had seemed, being tuned not merely to the game itself but to typical chess positions. These experiments corroborated earlier studies that had demonstrated convincingly that ability in one area tends not to transfer to another. American psychologist Edward Thorndike first noted this lack of transference over a century ago, when he showed that the study of Latin, for instance, did not improve command of English and that geometric proofs do not teach the use of logic in daily life.

That is a ridiculous assumption. Playing a game does one thing, it makes you good a playing a game.

Being "smart" is really just having a large collection of skills. If you do a lot of math, you'll get very good at math, but you'll know nothing more about politics or philosophy or how to choose a good car.

I've heard it before, I think from a teacher, that sitting still and doing nothing is better for your brain than watching television. Because the person doing nothing will at least be using their mind a bit, while the person watching TV is mindlessly receiving entertainment. If this is true, then shouldn't actively using your mind constantly have an effect greater than that of doing nothing, or of doing some mindless activity?

I've heard it before, I think from a teacher, that sitting still and doing nothing is better for your brain than watching television. Because the person doing nothing will at least be using their mind a bit, while the person watching TV is mindlessly receiving entertainment. If this is true, then shouldn't actively using your mind constantly have an effect greater than that of doing nothing, or of doing some mindless activity?

Chess memory was thus shown to be even more specific than it had seemed, being tuned not merely to the game itself but to typical chess positions. These experiments corroborated earlier studies that had demonstrated convincingly that ability in one area tends not to transfer to another. American psychologist Edward Thorndike first noted this lack of transference over a century ago, when he showed that the study of Latin, for instance, did not improve command of English and that geometric proofs do not teach the use of logic in daily life.

In my opinion, skills are much closer to intelligence than knowledge is. I would never define smart as having a lot of knowledge, but rather having better "brain power," whatever that means.

Skills, smarts, intelligence, all are greatly improved when a person is calm and relaxed. Stress, especially extended stress, makes people stupid and greatly dulls memory functions. Severe extended stress alone can cause hippocampal sclerosis. (The hippocampus is the part of the brain most responsible for memory.) I would say the single best thing a person can do to enhance raw "brain power" would be to practice some kind of relaxation technique.